Classic insurance - companies & brokers

Alkers

LemmyKilmister wrote:

Is a daily car required for this policy? They don't mention it...

It's mentioned on the proposal form

hi5

Third party only, no fire and theft.

Noveight

Evening folks.

I'm 25. Have been a named driver on the auld fella's FBD policy for the past 7 years or so. No claims in that time. Currently rattling along in a 1.4D4D Corolla, happy out.

Looking to insure a 1990 1.8l Sierra as a daily driver in coming weeks. Will be doing roughly 35k km's a year so a limited mileage classic policy isn't an option.

Hoping to phone around tomorrow evening. Seeing as I've a history with FBD I'll phone them first. After that who should be my next port of call?

Any advice welcome. Cheers.

John Dough

So you need a daily insured car and third party only for E125 not bad!!
Any other stipulations like engineers test ,NCT and tax.

Silvera

Wow, 14 years since I started this thread?!
Time flies!

Chris_Heilong

Do the non Autoline companies also discriminate against non imported Japanese cars? For example if I bought an Irish MR2/Lexus 400 will they still give the mass produced spin?

RhoDoDenDron

Hi folks, I'm turning 25 in a few weeks and looking to pick up a classic over the next few months. I had been reading this thread and understood that most classic car insurers would take a car at 20 years, provided the driver was over 25 themselves.

I had been looking at cheap (€2-3000) MX5s and it seemed Autoline would be a good bet. I rang them to see what their requirements and they said that the age for Jap cars had now been raised for 30 years old (for the driver), in line with what other insurers were now doing. Rang a few others and got the same story - they won't touch a Jap car now whether it's an import or domestic model unless the driver is 30+. They said they would do a Euro car (ie. E30 318 BMW) no problem at 25. Problem is, I wouldn't rate the reliability of BMWs and such vs Japanese cars.

Has anyone got any advice in terms of either insurance companies that would provide classic insurance for a Jap car at age 25 or even reliable and inexpensive models of Euro car if I was to go down that route instead? Or better yet - does anyone own a early '90s BMW and can confirm if they are as unreliable as everyone says?

Thanks in advance guys!

Peter T

I dont know who you've been taking to about the bmw's but I guess they either had a bad experience or never had one.

fancy pigeon

RhoDoDenDron wrote: »

Hi folks, I'm turning 25 in a few weeks and looking to pick up a classic over the next few months. I had been reading this thread and understood that most classic car insurers would take a car at 20 years, provided the driver was over 25 themselves.

I had been looking at cheap (€2-3000) MX5s and it seemed Autoline would be a good bet. I rang them to see what their requirements and they said that the age for Jap cars had now been raised for 30 years old (for the driver), in line with what other insurers were now doing. Rang a few others and got the same story - they won't touch a Jap car now whether it's an import or domestic model unless the driver is 30+. They said they would do a Euro car (ie. E30 318 BMW) no problem at 25. Problem is, I wouldn't rate the reliability of BMWs and such vs Japanese cars.

Has anyone got any advice in terms of either insurance companies that would provide classic insurance for a Jap car at age 25 or even reliable and inexpensive models of Euro car if I was to go down that route instead? Or better yet - does anyone own a early '90s BMW and can confirm if they are as unreliable as everyone says?

Thanks in advance guys!

Seems to be hit and miss with insurers. I insured a twin turbo Z when I was 25 classically without any issues with FBD; that was 4 years ago. Still have the car, still insured with them, still the same price upon renewal

Walked into FBD yesterday to see if they'd insure a Peugeot 406 classically and was told they wouldn't. When I asked why they said it would need to be over 25 years, which I casually pointed out about a 98 C180 we have with them insured classically. I was then told some fumbly excuse about it not being a classic so I walked out. I'll just keep asking round

I'll be looking to insure my E34 (again) later this year when it turns 30. It is an electrical nightmare I attribute to the cars age and condition of the earthing points and has on occasion left me at the side of the road (many moons ago at this stage). Still wouldn't trade it for the world though :cool:

jozi

I can't really speak for my own E30 as thats in the shed the last 8 years :rolleyes:

But I never had any major problems when I had a E30 touring with 318iS engine fitted, it was my daily. The only unreliable thing about it was me replacing things that I thought would take an hour but ended up taking a full day! Once properly maintained there is no reason for them to not be reliable, I have a number of friends who daily theirs.

My daily is 1999 318iS and it has been very reliable, the starter is acting up now but I already have a new one ready to go in. Besides the usual consumables such as bushes both bmw's have been very good from my experience!

mattroche

A friend wanted to insure a 02 Mercedes E200 with Autoline, but they turned it down. He already insured with them for a 99 Merc. but would not do a transfer. When I asked why, they told me that since First Jan.last they will only insure cars OVER 20 years old, and drivers over 30 years old. This was due to people using their 15/16/17 year old cars for every day use. They did mention that they MIGHT insure Jags, Ferraries, & Soft Top Mercs, over 15 years old. I don't think there is now any Insurance that will offer Classic Insurance on a 15 year old car.!!

macplaxton

mattroche wrote: »

I don't think there is now any Insurance that will offer Classic Insurance on a 15 year old car.!!

Maybe not here in Ireland, but over the water...

Age of vehicle for the purposes of classic car insurance is really down to the vehicle and the underwriting gods at the company concerned.

I've had no issue (in the UK) insuring a Citroen BX when it hit 20 years old. Try the same now with a Xantia and you may find the answer "non". I couldn't add a Peugeot 306 Cabriolet to my existing classic car policy with one insurer (it was 18 years old, but they'd take it at 20), but I could start a fresh policy with another (because it was over 15). It would probably be a no if it was a tin-topped 306.

In terms of Japanese cars, I've noticed in recent times that it has to be much older and more exclusive to get past the underwriters.

Underwriting policy may change over time, but also differ between existing and new business.

Edit to add:
Insurers found quick and easy to say "over 25" for the vehicle age in the past. Now they are having to develop their methods of weeding out those looking for a cheap meal ticket.

Noveight

A follow up from my earlier post.

Bought a '92 Sierra and have it insured on it's own policy with FBD.

I'm 25 years old, have been a named driver on an FBD policy for ~7 years.
3rd party, fire and theft.
35,000km's a year.
Full glass cover.

€920

Might be of interest to someone searching the thread in time.

Rosser

Does anyone know what’s up at AXA? My branch closed (Nutgrove) who always gave great service. Wanted to get a price to change my Audi 80 to an ‘87 200, took about 2 days and 3 hours to get through, spoke to a lad in the North who said to go to a branch, he suggested Wicklow!!.....😡 Catch 22.

Rang FBD and they quoted no problem, need proof of a main use second car. Now back on to AXA trying to cancel my policy.

Chris_Heilong

mattroche wrote: »

A friend wanted to insure a 02 Mercedes E200 with Autoline, but they turned it down. He already insured with them for a 99 Merc. but would not do a transfer. When I asked why, they told me that since First Jan.last they will only insure cars OVER 20 years old, and drivers over 30 years old. This was due to people using their 15/16/17 year old cars for every day use. They did mention that they MIGHT insure Jags, Ferraries, & Soft Top Mercs, over 15 years old. I don't think there is now any Insurance that will offer Classic Insurance on a 15 year old car.!!

I have my Supra with them but wanted to buy a gen 3 MR2 but they did not start selling here until 2000 so I guess I cant do it for a year.

q85dw7osi4lebg

I think Autoline give a different schpeel for everyone, I just took out a policy with them, 29, car is 15 years old and is a UK import Jap marque.

unkel

That set you back two grand, InstaSte?

q85dw7osi4lebg

unkel wrote: »

That set you back two grand, InstaSte?

€580

Daily is €830 with RSA!

commited

Has anyone added a 15yo car with First Ireland recently? I have the legacy policy etc...

homingbird

Hi does fbd offer breakdown assist with classic car comp cover as i might need to use it to get a car to a garage for repair if so what company do they use & what is the number to ring.

unkel

commited wrote: »

Has anyone added a 15yo car with First Ireland recently? I have the legacy policy etc...

I think they still let you. I have had 6 or 7 cars over 15y but under 20y with them on the same legacy classic policy over the last decade, but the last youngtimer I added was over 2 years ago. I don't know if they have changed policy since. I guess you will have to ring them

Great policy it is though. I added another classic (over 30y) that I brought in yesterday and they charged me something like €30 full comp until renewal

JabbaTheHut

unkel wrote: »

I think they still let you. I have had 6 or 7 cars over 15y but under 20y with them on the same legacy classic policy over the last decade, but the last youngtimer I added was over 2 years ago. I don't know if they have changed policy since. I guess you will have to ring them

Great policy it is though. I added another classic (over 30y) that I brought in yesterday and they charged me something like €30 full comp until renewal

From their page here : https://www.firstireland.ie/personal/classic/index.php

We offer a simple and cheap classic car insurance and vintage car insurance in Ireland for cars aged 20 years and over.

And more here: https://www.firstireland.ie/personal/classic/index.php

unkel

Yeah, I know. But commited and myself (and no doubt many others) have a legacy classic car policy with First Ireland that let us insure any 15 year old car mostly from premium makes (as long as it wasn't Japanese or in any other way popular with boy racers) on a classic policy.

I've had €400 bangernomics E46 cars covered under this policy. Fully comp. For next to zero money.

JabbaTheHut

Handy that. When you say legacy, do you mean a policy you have held of a long time?

unkel

That policy hasn't been available to new business / new customers for many years now. But if you were on the old policy, they let you renew it and even change car or add cars on the old terms. I've no intention of ever letting this policy lapse

JabbaTheHut

Too right. Be madness to change anything.

John Dough

Diana Gigantic Handlebar wrote: »

I think Autoline give a different schpeel for everyone, I just took out a policy with them, 29, car is 15 years old and is a UK import Jap marque.

Simona1986 wrote: »

Www.iveta.ie vintage cars, jeeps and vans policies are 220e for 20-24 year vehicles or 125e once over 25

So you need a daily insured car and third party only for E125 not bad!!
Any other stipulations like engineers test ,NCT and tax.

80sDiesel

John Dough wrote: »

So you need a daily insured car and third party only for E125 not bad!!
Any other stipulations like engineers test ,NCT and tax.

Nope.

Peter T

Anyone know if they cover Japanese imports ? Any companies that do have said you have to be over 30 for a new policy

Kace

Peter T wrote: »

Anyone know if they cover Japanese imports ? Any companies that do have said you have to be over 30 for a new policy

I don’t think they do - at least this was the last I heard a couple of years ago.

Which company said that they would cover Jap of over 30 for new policies?

Peter T

I had been onto autoline, first Ireland and was in contact with a broker also. Was trying to insure a 94 jap s14 but was getting the response of "You have to be over 30 to insure one of them" or that they dont cover Japanese imports.

Titzon Toast

I'm looking to put my 97 Prelude back on the road for the summer. I'm gonna try First Ireland for a quote because I've heard they're the only company that will insure a Japanese car as a classic.

Do I still need to be a member of a classic car club in order to get a quote? I have two policies in my own name already but I've never had classic insurance.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

unkel

You will have to ring them and ask. In the past, when you started a new classic policy with them, they demanded proof you were in a classic car club. But they never checked again at renewal time. And sometimes they need proof of NCT and bizarrely, motor tax!

I'm not so sure if they insure Japanese cars though, but Autoline definitely will

Titzon Toast

unkel wrote: »

You will have to ring them and ask. In the past, when you started a new classic policy with them, they demanded proof you were in a classic car club. But they never checked again at renewal time. And sometimes they need proof of NCT and bizarrely, motor tax!

I'm not so sure if they insure Japanese cars though, but Autoline definitely will

That's great info, thank you very much. Are Autoline the crowd up the North?

My car has been in storage for three years now and doesn't have an NCT or any tax. This could be tricky!

unkel

Yeah Autoline are in the North afaik

About the no NCT and no tax, an insurance company most likely will give you a bit of time to get that sorted (giving you insurance in the mean time, so you can drive it around to get it tested, etc.)

Titzon Toast

unkel wrote: »

Yeah Autoline are in the North afaik

About the no NCT and no tax, an insurance company most likely will give you a bit of time to get that sorted (giving you insurance in the mean time, so you can drive it around to get it tested, etc.)

That's what I was hoping. It should sail through the NCT, I've done lots of work to it over the past year.
Thanks again for your help.

John Dough

Titzon Toast wrote: »

I'm looking to put my 97 Prelude back on the road for the summer. I'm gonna try First Ireland for a quote because I've heard they're the only company that will insure a Japanese car as a classic.

Do I still need to be a member of a classic car club in order to get a quote? I have two policies in my own name already but I've never had classic insurance.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

No they will give you a quote without membership but if you are a vintage member you get a better rate.

Titzon Toast

John Dough wrote: »

No they will give you a quote without membership but if you are a vintage member you get a better rate.

That's interesting, I found a club in Cavan that are giving out memberships for €25. I couldn't find a JDM specific one online. Do you know of any good clubs I could join please?

John Dough

Titzon Toast wrote: »

That's interesting, I found a club in Cavan that are giving out memberships for €25. I couldn't find a JDM specific one online. Do you know of any good clubs I could join please?

You could try www.IVETA.ie they have a special insurance deal with FBD and you can download a application form membership is €25 also they have all sorts of vintage vehicles /tractors on their books. Insurance figures on the app form.

Titzon Toast

John Dough wrote: »

You could try www.IVETA.ie they have a special insurance deal with FBD and you can download a application form membership is €25 also they have all sorts of vintage vehicles /tractors on their books. Insurance figures on the app form.

I don't think FBD do Japanese cars though unfortunately. Only Autoline will from what I've heard.

unkel

John Dough wrote: »

No they will give you a quote without membership but if you are a vintage member you get a better rate.

Not First Ireland in my experience. They will give you a quote, you sign up and pay but the deal is only valid if you prove your club membership. Any classic club goes.

Titzon Toast

Got a policy this morning from Autoline. 3k miles, fully comp, €290. I'm delighted, thanks for your help lads.

John Dough

Titzon Toast wrote: »

Got a policy this morning from Autoline. 3k miles, fully comp, €290. I'm delighted, thanks for your help lads.

Nice Job BTW did they ask about club membership.

Titzon Toast

John Dough wrote: »

Nice Job BTW did they ask about club membership.

They did indeed but said it didn't matter if I wasn't in one.
Strangely enough, they just believed me when I said I had two other policies, no proof required.

It's hard to believe that the road tax is gonna cost 4 times as much as the insurance though.

unkel

Titzon Toast wrote: »

Got a policy this morning from Autoline. 3k miles, fully comp, €290. I'm delighted, thanks for your help lads.

Nice work!

I take it you also rang First Ireland and they wouldn't quote for Japanese cars?

Titzon Toast

unkel wrote: »

Nice work!

I take it you also rang First Ireland and they wouldn't quote for Japanese cars?

I didn't bother with them tbh, I've been shot down by so many companies in the South that I just went straight to Autoline because I knew they'd quote me.
I was very happy with their price and cover so I just took it straight away. I can't believe I'll have my car back on the road so soon. I'm gonna tax it and book it's NCT tomorrow.

Kace

Titzon Toast wrote: »

I didn't bother with them tbh, I've been shot down by so many companies in the South that I just went straight to Autoline because I knew they'd quote me.
I was very happy with their price and cover so I just took it straight away. I can't believe I'll have my car back on the road so soon. I'm gonna tax it and book it's NCT tomorrow.

Yeah as long as you have a garage or driveway Autoline are great. They couldn’t cover me for having the car parked on a public street unfortunately.

Ciano35

Hi all, I’m trying to get my first classic quote but having a bit of trouble. Carol Nash, campion, first Ireland, axa, autoline have all refused based on the car, a standard Impreza wrx. Autoline would have quoted if I was 30 but I’m late 20’s.

The car is completely standard and I have zero claims, penalty points, medical conditions etc, and the car would be on private property in the countryside. Is there anyone else I can try or am I out of luck? Thanks!

mattroche

I would suggest you GO INTO your local FBD office, and discuss it with them, they are pretty good.

Ciano35

mattroche wrote: »

I would suggest you GO INTO your local FBD office, and discuss it with them, they are pretty good.

Thanks, I’ll give it a go.